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would not last。 He inquired of the cook； the cabin…boy； the
captain； concerning the food stores。 They reassured him countless
times； but he could not believe them； and pried cunningly about the
lazarette to see with his own eyes。
It was noticed that the man was getting fat。 He grew stouter with
each day。 The scientific men shook their heads and theorized。
They limited the man at his meals； but still his girth increased
and he swelled prodigiously under his shirt。
The sailors grinned。 They knew。 And when the scientific men set a
watch on the man； they knew too。 They saw him slouch for'ard after
breakfast； and； like a mendicant； with outstretched palm； accost a
sailor。 The sailor grinned and passed him a fragment of sea
biscuit。 He clutched it avariciously； looked at it as a miser
looks at gold； and thrust it into his shirt bosom。 Similar were
the donations from other grinning sailors。
The scientific men were discreet。 They let him alone。 But they
privily examined his bunk。 It was lined with hardtack； the
mattress was stuffed with hardtack； every nook and cranny was
filled with hardtack。 Yet he was sane。 He was taking precautions
against another possible famine … that was all。 He would recover
from it； the scientific men said； and he did； ere the BEDFORD'S
anchor rumbled down in San Francisco Bay。